Summer Family Getaways

There's nothing quite as soul-satisfying as the freedom that summer brings. Kids spring joyfully from school-year shackles. Vegetation runs rampant in its humid heyday. The sun blazes from on high, bleeding warmth and languidness long into the night. Everything has an order, however lazy and lingering.

Summer is also the pinnacle of family travel, a chance to explore, to laugh, and to learn without the strictures of walls and schedules. It's hikes and waterfalls, roller coasters and beaches, boat rides and swimming pools. And of course, food galore: glistening ballpark hot dogs, warm festival sweets, sun-ripened tomatoes, plump peaches, and hand-churned ice cream.

The writers and photographers of Southern Living, Sunset, Coastal Living, and 10Best eagerly absorb summer's best wonders from all over the country, showcasing the places, events, and pastimes that give the season such unparalleled appeal.

See the things we love, and set out for adventures and memories of your own. Sure, times are tighter this year, but there's room for delight around every bend, near or far. Pack a bag, pack a picnic, pack a swimsuit – just go! Don't waste time second-guessing when summer is fleeting!

Nationwide

Articles
Thumb Your Nose at the Pump
The Fastest Family Fun
Pack a Picnic, Pick a Park
Budget Travel: Tips to Get More for Less

Photo Galleries
Our Favorite Hotels Coast to Coast  
The Nation's Best Outdoor Dining   

West

Articles
10 Best Healthful Activities in San Francisco
10 Best Outdoor Adventures Around Las Vegas
Smart Sightseeing in Seattle
Take Me to St. Louis

Photo Galleries
Keeping it Cool in Phoenix
Vegas Inside and Out
Water's a Way of Life in Seattle
The West's Ultimate Outdoor Adventures
A Perfect Day in Portland 

South

Articles
Miami is so Easy to Enjoy      
Insider's Guide to Disney World
Weekend Guide: Captiva & Sanibel Islands
Atlanta for Families
Set Your Sights on Savannah
Charleston: Highlights in a Day
Exploring Gardens in Washington, DC
Historic Sites in San Antonio
Plant and Learn at Children's Gardening Programs
Top 10 Budget Getaways
A Fun Family Voyage

Photo Galleries
40 Things Every Southerner Ought To Do
The Streets and Eats of New Orleans
Life's Better in Birmingham
Hot Springs, AR: History, Architecture, and Southern Charm
Orlando's Fun Times for All
Remember San Antonio!
Suddenly Savannah
Baltimore's a Place for Family and Friends
Atlanta's Outside Scene